When this is all over we will have so much to process about this pandemic. Not just politically and socially, but personally. However, we will all be off and running here and there with no time for this important psychological work. The good news is that most of us do have time now. So get out that journal and let’s do it.

Below is a list of journaling exercises to help you get started processing it all. I suggest you write as much as comes to mind on each and then push yourself a little farther. Here we go:

1.  What is the worse part of this for you personally? As you write think about physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, family, friends, career. Why is this the worse part for you?
2. Make a list of the emotions you are feeling. Elaborate on each.
3.  How are you managing the worse part?
4. What do you miss most if staying home?
5. What is the best part of this for you personally? See number 1 for ideas.  Why is this the best part?
6. Is there ways you can hold on to the best of this when it is all over?
7. When you go back to work, what will you miss from sheltering in place?
8. What have you learned during this time? About yourself? About others? About the world around you?
9.  Write about “patience.” What you think about the concept?  Do you have any? Do you have more? What does yours look like? What will it be like in the future? Try to write a whole page.
10. Write about “acceptance.” See number 9 for ideas.
11. Do you think you have been changed by this experience?  In what ways?
12. Will you and your life be different moving forward? How? Why?

This is great stuff to share with your therapist! 

Remember if you are having difficulty emotionally and psychologically therapists are working from home via telehealth video and phone reach out.